Casket closure and sealing device



`lune 9, 1959 Filed March 19, 1957 E. S. EISENHARD ET AL GASKET CLOSUREAND SEALING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet vIl.

/NvE/v raRs A from/Y6 Juhe 9, 1959 E. s. EISENHARD afl-AL v2,889,609

GASKET CLOSURE AND SEAL'ING DEVICE Filed March 19, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2WZLJ NMR/vers -NNNN 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 U|||| Il l lllllllllUlld QN QQ N lINN IMULNLN.

E. S. EISENHARD ET AL GASKET CLOSURE AND SEALING DEVICE.

.QN @Nrw N June 9, 1959 Filed March 19, 195'? INVENTORS- E71 6.ise/y//'d Ca BY Paz/l EF@ si', 163 1"@ A TT ORNE YS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 E.s. EISENHARD ETA; GASKET CLOSURE AND SEALING DEVICE Pg EL? HC/J.'II'IIIIII "6 Ill."

FIC?. 13

June 9, 1959 Filed March 19,v 1957 @aired guitares GASKET CLGSURE ANDSEAlLlNG DEVICE Eli S. Eisenhard and Paul F. Faust, Boyertowu, Pa.,assignors to loyertown Burial Casket Company, Boyertown, Fa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Application March 19, 1957, Serial No.647,076

Claims. (Cl. 27--17) Our invention relates to an hermetically sealedcasket and more particularly to the provision of apparatus which willdraw the lid of the casket down onto the body of the casket inhermetically sealed relation with respect thereto.

Reference is hereby made to our abandoned application Serial No.448,486, `tiled August 9, 1954, of which this application is acontinuation-impart.

It is an object of our invention to provide a closure and sealing devicewhich can be located inconspicuously within the casket body, which canbe operated from a single point outside of the casket and which is somounted within the casket that the required openings in the casket wallsfor the lid engaging members and operating crank are sealed off from theinterior of the casket when the lid is in closed position.

It is a further object of our invention to provide a closure and sealingdevice which will draw the lid of the casket downwardly into anhermetically sealed relation with respect to the casket body evenly andwithout distortion of the lid.

It is a further object of our invention to provide the casket closureand sealing mechanism which can be operated quickly and effectively froma single point outside of the casket.

We have illustrated our invention in preferred form in the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a casket in closed position with our improvedclosure device and operating means being indicated in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section takensubstantially on the line 2 2 of Figure 4;

Figure 3 is a plan section taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross section on the line 4 4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an isometric view of the manner in which the chamber isformed which encloses the operating mechanism for the closure so as tobe sealed from the interior of the casket body;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section on the line 6 6of Figure 7 showing the lid engaging latch in normal latched position;

Figure 7 is a plan section on the line 7--7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a section similar to Figure 6 showing the latch in unlatchedposition about to engage the lid which is shown in dot and dash lines;

Figure 9 is a view showing the latch in an extreme latching position;

Figure l() is an enlarged longitudinal view similar to Figure 2 ofanother embodiment of this invention with parts broken away in order toillustrate important details;

Figure 11 is a view of the middle portion of Figure 10 with theoperating mechanism cover removed;

Figure l2 is a plan View of the apparatus of Figure 10 with parts brokenaway to illustrate important details;

Figure 13 is a sectional View taken as indicated by the lines and arrows13a-13 which appear in Figure 10;

Patented .lune Q, 1959 Figure 14 is a longitudinal section of the middleportion of Figure 10;

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the lines and arrows15-15 which appear in Figure 10; and

Figure 16 is a perspective view in section of the portion shown at theright in Figure 10.

Although specic terms are used in the following description for clarity,these terms arerintended to refer only to the structure shown in thedrawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of theinvention.

The casket shown in Figure 1 comprises generally the body portion A, thelid B and the closure device and operating means C shown in dottedlines.

The body portion A (Fig. 1) consists of a metal case which can be formedin any preferred manner to insure airtight jointure between the bottom,side and end walls. ln the sheet metal casket illustrated the airtightjointure of the parts is effected by welding. The lid B may be formedfrom a single stamping or from multiple parts, in either case withairtight sealing at jointures.

The casket body A consists of a bottom to which side walls 10 and endwalls 11 are welded, the side and end walls being welded together at thecorners of the casket body. The upper marginal portions of the side andend walls are stamped to form a decorative molding indicated generallyby the letter D and a similar molding E is formed on the lid of thecasket. The molding D projects outwardly of the general vertical planeof the side and end walls of the casket body and is provided at theupper edge with an inturned flange 12 (Fig. 4). The lid molding E has asimilar inturned flange 13 opposed to the iiange 12 on the casket body.

A longitudinal chamber 14 (Fig. 4) is formed within the molding Dbeneath the iiange 12 of the body of the casket by means of side sealingplates 15 and end sealing plates 16. The plate 1S has an upper flangeportion 17 which is welded to the underside of the flange 12 of thecasket body to form an air-tight joint therewith and a lower offsetflange portion 18 which is Welded to side wall 10 of the casket to forman air-tight joint therewith. The end plates 16 (Fig. 5) have a contourwhich conforms to the interior contour of the molding D and are providedwith peripheral iianges 16a and 1Gb directed outwardly toward the endwalls of the casket. The side sealing plate 15 is welded to the anges16b and the iianges 16a are Welded to the molding portion D of thecasket, all in air-tight relation in order to form the 1ongitudinalchamber 14 which is hermetically sealed from the interior of the casketbody.

A sailing gasket 21D (Fig. 4) composed of a ilexible vinyl or otherflexible material lies on the upper surface of the marginal ange 12 andextends completely around the upper margin of the casket. The gasket isprovided at the inner edge with an upstanding rib 21 which engages thelower face of the flange 13 of the lid when the lid is in closed positonand this rib portion is compressed when the lid is pulled down to forman airtight seal for the interior of the casket between the casket lidand body. The flat outward portion 22 of the gasket 20 performs nosealing function when the casket is closed and could be eliminated ifdesired. However, we prefer to use it as it covers the upper surface ofthe flange 12 and eliminates the need for finishing that surface.

The pull down and sealing device is mounted on an angle plate 23 and isconstructed as follows:

The angle plate 23 is secured to the casket flange 12 :by means ofwelding or other suitable means.

Gear box 24 (Fig. 3) is welded or otherwise secured to the angle plate23 centrally thereof. This box supports and provides a bearing forsleeve members 25 to the ends of which miter gears 26 are secured. Atransverse shaft 27 is also supported for rotation by the gear 'box andcarries, at one end, the miter gearv 28 which engages -rniter gears 26on the sleeves 25. At the opposite end the shaft 27 is provided with arecessed head so that it can be rotated by a crank which can be insertedthrough an opening in the molding D of the casket wall adjacent thereto.A threaded sleeve 29 is secured in the opening in the molding D of thecasket wall and the opening can be closed after the casket is sealed bya threaded cap member 36 which is screwed on to the sleeve 29. It isunnecessary that the cap 30 seal off the interior of the chamber 14 andit can be omitted, if desired.

The ends of the sleeves 25 are interiorly threaded and engage thethreaded ends of latch operating rods 31--31 which extend lengthwise ofthe chamber 14. Rotation of the shaft pin 27 will, through the mitergears 26 and 28, cause the sleeves to rotate and move the rods 31--31back and forth lengthwise of the casket, depending on the direction ofrotation of the shaft 27.

Two apertured blocks 32 are secured to each of the operating rods 31 bymeans of set screws 33 (Fig. 4). In order to suitably space the latcheslengthwise of the casket one block 32 on each rod is mounted somewhatnear the center of the casket while the other block 32 on each rod islocated near the end of the casket (Fig. l). Each of the blocks 32 has apin 34 (Fig. 6) engaging in a slot 34a in the rearwardly extending armof an associated bell crank 35. The bell cranks 35 are pivoted on pivotpins 36 which are secured to angle plates 37 which in turn are welded orotherwise secured to angle plate 23. Slot 34a is provided to translatethe linear motion of pin 34 and rod 31 to the arcuate motion of the bellcrank arm. The opposite arms of the bell cranks 35 carry pivot pins 38which engage the lower ends of the latches 39. As can be best seen inFigures 8 and 9, each latch extends upwardly through slots in the angleplates 37, 23, flange 12 and gasket 20. The latch 39 has an upper hookportion 48 adapted to engage the flange 13 of the casket lid, anintermediate parallel edged portion 41 extending downwardly, anotherintermediate parallel edged portion 42, the edges of which extend at anangle to the edges of the intermediate portion 41 and a lower portion43, provided with a hole for the pivot pin 38. Guide pins 44 and 45adapted to engage the edges of the portions 41 and 42 and thereby guidethe latch 39 are secured to the angle plate 37.

When it is desired to close and seal the casket, the shaft pin 27 isfirst rotated to move the blocks 32 toward the ends of the casket whilethe lid is in open position and the bell crank will operate to move thelatches 39 to the tilted position indicated in Figure 8, which resultsfrom the engagement on the angular edged portions 42 of the latches withthe guide pins 44 and 45. The casket lid is then lowered until it restson the rib 21 of the gasket 20 and the hook portions 40 of the latches39 will extend into the lid through the slots 46 which are provided inthe lower ange 13 of the lid. The shaft 27 is then rotated in theopposite direction causing the operating rods 31 and the blocks 32 tomove toward the center of the casket. This will cause the bell cranks 35to move the latches 39 downwardly and engagement of the edges of theintermediate portions 41 of the latches with the guide pins 44 and 45,will cause the hook portions 4l) of the latches 39 to move toward theends of the casket and engage the inner face of the ange 13 of thecasket lid. Further movement of the blocks 32 toward the center of thecasket will impart movement to the latches 39 in a direction to draw thelid downwardly, rmly compressing the rib 21 thus forming a marginalair-tight seal for the casket around the entire margin of the uppersurface of the casket body. Although we have illustrated a casketsealing mechanism having four latches, it is to be understood that thenumber of latches can be increased or decreased by addition or omissionof apertured blocks 32 on operating rods 31, together with associatedbell cranks and latches.

The slot 46 in the lid of the casket is covered by an inverted U-shapedsheet metal closure member 47 (Figs. 4, 6) which has flanges 48, whichare welded and completely sealed to the inner face of the ilange 13 ofthe lid of the casket, thus preventing the entry of air into theinterior of the casket through the slots 46.

Normally the parts are in the position indicated in Figure 6 when thecasket is closed. However, if for any reason the flanges on the lid ofthe casket are warped or have irregularities, the latches can be drawnto the extreme position indicated in Figure 9 to insure suflicientcompression of the gasket rib 21 to prevent any leakage which might bedue to such irregularities or warping of the flanges of the lid or thebody of the casket.

1t should be pointed out with the arrangement we have illustrated thereis a direct downward pull on the lid of the casket when it is beingsealed and no forces are exerted which would tend to put anylongitudinal strain on the lid of the casket or to skew or twist the lidas it is being drawn downwardly.

Referring to Fig. l0 which illustrates another embodiment of apparatusconstructed in accordance with this invention, there is shown operatingmechanism desig-v nated generally by the number 51 including gear means52 and latching means 53 which are operatively connected together byconecting means 54.

Gear means 52 includes a gear box 55 and a knurled and threaded capmember 56. Extending from the ends of gear box 55 are rotatable sleevemembers 57 which are longitudinally positioned Within the chamber 14.Formed in sleeve member 57 is a threaded recess 53 which receives theexternally threaded end portion 61 of a latch-operating rod 62. Mountedon rod 62 is a boss 63 which is connected to the end of arm 64 of bellcrank 65. Bell crank 65 has a stationary pivot which includes a pin 66.Slot 64a is provided to translate the linear motion of boss 63 and rod62 to the arcuate motion of bell crank arm 64. Arm 67 of bell crank 65is pivoted by pin 68 to one end 71 of latch element 72. The other end 73of the latch element is hook-shaped. Latch element 72 is positionedwithin a slot 74 formed in horizontal ange 75 of angle plate 76 andhorizontal flange 77 of body portion 78. Flange 75 is fastened to iange77 by screws 81. Hook end 73 also extends through a slot 82 formed insealing gasket 83 and slot 84 formed in horizontal ange 85 of lid 86. Aclosure member 87 is welded to horizontal flange 85 of lid 86.

In Fig. 1l is shown a fragmentary view of gear means 52 with cap member56 removed to permit access to the operating means by a crank handle.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. l2, gear box 55 includes aU-shaped base member 88 which is fastened to angle plate 76 by screws92. Attached to base 88 by screws 93 is front plate 94. Seated in arecess in the rear plate 95 of base member 8S is the inner end 96 of atransverse shaft 97. Mounted on shaft 97 is a miter gear 98 and formedin the outer end of the shaft is a crank handle recess 101 which ispreferably of hexagonal bore. Shaft 97 is positioned within an apertureformed in vertical outer surface 192 of body portion 7S. Welded tosurface 102 and positioned about transverse shaft 97 is an externallythreaded spud 193. Sealing cap member 56 is threaded onto spud 103 tohermetically seal the chamber 14. Cap member 56 has mounted therein agasket 104, preferably made of vinyl. It is to be noted that the itbetween transverse shaft 97 and spud 103 is not air-tight, that theouter end of transverse shaft 97 does not extend as far as the outer endof spud 193, and that transverse shaft 97 does not contact gasket 104.Sleeves 57 extend through recesses formed in the end walls 105 of gearbox 55, and have mounted on one end a miter gear 106 which meshes withgear 98.

, Figure 13 shows a view in section of one end of gear means 52. Sealinggasket 83 is provided with a hib 107 and three smaller ribs 111, 112 and113. Rib 107 is positioned outwardly of latch elements 72. Hence, whenthe casket is closed the latch elements 72 are concealed from view andthe closure has a smooth, unbroken appearance. Figures 13 and 14 showthe configuration of some of the components of the gear box, especiallyU- shaped base member 88 and front plate 94.

Figures 15 and 16 show the latching means S3 in section and inperspective and illustrate more clearly the form and relationship of thecomponents of the latch mechanism.

In use, the lid 86 is closed. Then a crank is inserted and turned ingear box 55 to lock the lid 86 to the body portion 78. This isaccomplished quickly and easily. Further, the apparatus foraccomplishing this is most inconspicuous and does not detract from thedesign of the casket.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herein shown anddescribed is to :be taken as a preferred embodiment. Various changes maybe made in the shape, size and arrangement of parts. Equivalent elementsmay tbe substituted for those described herein, parts may be reversed,and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently ofthe use of other features, all without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described our invention, We claim:

1. A metal casket comprising a body portion having a bottom, side wallsand end walls, a lid positioned above the body portion, a sealing gasketpositioned intermediate said lid and body portion, a rotatable shaftlocated within said side walls, a rod threadedly engaged with saidrotatable shaft and having its axis coincident therewith and moveablelongitudinally by the rotation of said shaft, gear means located withinsaid side Walls for rotating said shaft, means accessible from theexterior of said casket for actuating said gear means, a bell crankhaving two arms and pivotally mounted at the juncture of the arms withinone of said side walls, a hook-shaped latch pivotally connected to onearm of said crank, said lid being hollow and having a slot formedtherein for receiving said latch and having a latch engaging surface,and means operatively connecting said rod to the other arm of said crankto pull down said latch in a substantially straight line motion to bringsaid lid into closed position with said body portion when said rod ismoved longitudinally by said rotatable shaft.

2. The metal casket dened in claim 1, wherein said sealing gasket isalso located on the casket interior side of said latch so that said bodyportion, lid, and gasket form a hermetically sealed chamber when saidlatch is in closed position.

3. The metal casket defined in claim l, wherein said means operativelyconnecting said rod to the other arm of said crank includes a pin and aslot in slidable engagement.

4. A metal casket comprising a body portion having a bottom, side wallsand end walls, a lid positioned above the body portion, a sealing gasketpositioned intermediate said lid and body portion, a rotatable shaftlocated within said side walls, a rod threadedly engaged with saidrotatable shaft and having its axis coincident therewith and moveablelongitudinally by the rotation of said shaft, gear means located withinsaid side walls for rotating said shaft, means accessible from theexterior of said casket for actuating said gear means, a bell crankhaving two and pivotally mounted at the juncture of the arms within oneof said side walls, a hook-shaped latch pivotally connected to one armof said crank, said lid being hollow and having a slot formed thereinfor receiving ysaid latch and having a latch engaging surface, a blockadjustably fastened to said rod by a set screw, and a pin extending fromsaid block, said other arm of the crank having a slot formed therein forreceiving said pin to form a slidable connection between said rod andsaid other arm of the crank.

5. A metal casket comprising a body portion having a bottom, side wallsand end walls, a lid positioned above the body portion, a sealing gasketpositioned intermediate said lid and body portion, a rotatable shaftlocated within said side walls, a -rod threadedly engaged with saidrotatable shaft and having its axis coincident therewith and moveablelongitudinally by the rotation of said shaft, a miter gear mounted `onthe end of said shaft away from said rod, actuating means accessiblefrom the exterior of said casket for rotating said miter gear and saidshaft, said actuating means including a rotatable shaft having a mitergear mounted thereon in meshing relationship with said first mentionedmiter gear and having its axis of rotation at right angles from the axisof rotation of said iirst mentioned rotatable shaft, a bell crank havingtwo arms and pivotally mounted at the juncture of the arms within one ofsaid side walls, a hook-shaped latch pivotally connected to one arm ofsaid crank, said lid being hollow and having a slot formed therein forreceiving said latch and having a latch engaging surface, a blockadjustably fastened to said rod by a set screw, and a pin extending fromsaid block, said other arm of the crank having a slot formed -thereinfor receiving said pin to form a slidabl-e connection between said rodand said other arm of the crank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS131,699 Miller Sept. 24, 1872 1,216,765 Anderson Feb. 20, 1917 1,328,355Arndt Jan. 20, 1920 2,150,371 Furnish Mar. 14, 1939 2,417,756Hillenbrand Mar. 18, 1947

